Manu Ginobili knew this would be his last Olympics but maybe he didn't know it'd be this tough to say goodbye.
Ginobili played his final game for his country of Argentina yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics men's basketball tournament. Team USA defeated the Argentines, 105-78, to advance to the semifinals and send Ginobili's international career off into the sunset.
Ginobili was part of Argentina's Golden Generation, helping his country achieve more in international basketball than any country other than the United States over the past 15 years. Most notably, he led Argentina to the 2004 gold medal in Athens.
Following Wednesday night's game, Ginobili was understandably very emotional reflecting on his career with Argentina during an interview.
“I started playing at 19, 20 years old, and now I'm almost 40,” Ginobili said. “So of course, a lot of things happened. Some amazing times, unbelievable ones, and some tough ones. Most of them with the same core group of guys, good friends, with a lot of people that I love.”
Ginobili's basketball career is not over yet. He is returning to play for the Spurs on a one-year, $14 million deal. The four-time NBA champion and gold medalist might have some magic left before it's all said and done.
Follow Us
Subscribe